Apparatus for assembling articles



Dec. 16, 1958 A. c. 'KOEHLER ETAL 2,864,214

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING ARTICLES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 7, 1953 ,g hm j EU E]: S Q N K s m w E QRJWU B w $3 W 3 Q m w \x\5\ fi m m m 5N v m wi an: AA

ANY

2,864,214 APPARATUS non ASSEMBLING ARTICLES Albert C. Koehler, Queens Village, N. Y., and Arden L. Van Nest, Indianapolis, Ind., assignors to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 7, 1953, Serial No. 353,486

14 Claims. 01. 53-59 This invention relates to apparatus for assembling articles, and more particularly to apparatus for inserting terminals in slotted molds.

In the manufacture of terminal strips for use in telephone industry'or the like of the type in which a plurality of terminals are imbedded in insulating material which has been proposed to form such strips by inserting terminals through slotted molds in rows and pouring a casting compound into the molds after which the compound is set and the molds are removed, such terminal strips usually include several rows of terminals spaced at different elevations. In the past there have been no satisfactory apparatus for inserting terminals into the slots in the mold automatically. Consequently, considerable manual operations have been required.

An object of the invention is to provide new and improved apparatus for assembling articles.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved apparatus for inserting terminals in slots in molds.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus for automatically filling molds having several slots with terminals.

In an apparatus illustrating certain features of the invention, means may be provided for inserting terminals into slots in the molds, and the molds andthe inserting means are moved relative to oneanother so thatrthe terminals may be inserted into several of the slots.

An apparatus forming a more specific embodiment of the invention may include a terminal inserter which is reciprocable to and from a certain point, feed means for feeding terminals one at a time to the inserter, and means for pushing the terminals from the inserter when the inserter is at said point. A holder for holding a mold is mounted on a slide extending transversely with respect to the inserter so that the holder may he slid across the outlet of the inserter to position slots mounted in a row parallel to the guideway into the molds in alignment with the inserter, and means are provided for moving the guideway in a direction transverse to the direction in which the guideway extends to locate the holder in a position in which another row of the slots may be filled with terminals by the inserter.

A complete understanding of the invention may be obtained from the following detailed description of an apparatus forming a specific embodiment thereof, when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a top plan view of .an apparatus forming a specific embodiment of the invention with portions thereof broken away;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken along'line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, vertical section taken along line 44 of Fig. l with an operating piston rod shown in a withdrawn position;

2 Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, vertical section taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a section taken along line 6--6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, vertical section taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of a portion of an electrical control system and associated elements for controlling the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view of the remaining portion of the control system shown in Fig. 8, the top of Fig. 9 fitting to the bottom of Fig. 8.

Referringnow in detail to the drawings there is shown therein a mold holder 19 for holding a sectional terminal strip holder or mold 20 (Fig. 4) and automatically inserting terminals 21 into rows of opposed slots 22, 23, 24 and 25. The apparatus inserts all terminals, but one at a time, in one of the horizontal rows of the slots of the holder 20, then moves the holder 20 vertically to position a row of the slots immediately adjacent to the filled row of slots at the level of an inserter or work member 26, and fills that row after which the succeeding rows of the slots are filled one after another.

A chute for feeding terminals to the inserter 26 from suitable hopper means (not shown) has therein an escapement device 31, and is connected to a guide slot 32 of a magazine 33. The escapement device 31 has stop plates 34 and 35 (Figs. 5 and 6) mounted in guide ways 36 and 37, respectively, which extend transversely of the chute 30. The stop plates 34 and 35 are urged into alignement with a guide slot in the chute 30 by compressionsprings 38 and 39, and electromagnets 41 and 42, which are individually operated, serve when energized to pull the individual stop plates 34 and 35, respectively, completely out of alignment with the slot in the path of the terminals 21. The sequence of operation of the electromagnets 41 and 42 is such that initially both the electromagnets 41 and 42 are deenergized, and then the stop plates 34 and 35 are both in the path of the terminal strips. The magnet 41 is first operated whenever it is desired to feed the terminal strips, and

permits a terminal strip 21 to be fed by gravity down to the stop plate 35. Then the electromagnet 41 is de energized to press against a second terminal. The electromagnet 42-then is energized to pull the stop plate 35 away from the foremost terminal, and this terminal proceeds by gravity down the slot 40 in the chute 30. Then before the electromagnet 41 is again energized, the electromagnet 42 is reenergized to again place the stop plate 35 in the path of the oncoming terminal strips. Consequently, the terminals are fed one at a time beyond the escapement device to the magazine 33.

The thickness of the slot 32 in the magazine 33 is just slightly greater than the thickness of the terminals 21, and is mounted directly above a slot 45 (Fig. 7) positioned in a terminal guide or follower block 46 mounted slidably in a guideway 47 formed in a plate 48 secured rigidly to a mounting plate 49. A rod 54) secured rigidly to the travel block 46 is provided with a round pin 51 projecting downwardly from the rod to a position between arms 52 and 53 (Figs. 2 and 4). The arms 52 and 53 are provided with notches 54 and 55 and 56 and 57, respectively, which form, when the arms are positioned together, squares designed to interlock with the pin 51 projecting transversely from the rod 50. Figs. 1 and 2 show the pin 51 positioned within notches 54 and 56 whereas Fig. 4 depicts the pin 51 as being positioned within notches 55 and 57. The arms 52 and 53 are mounted pivotally on pins 58 fixed to a bracket 59, and pressers 6060 actuatedby compression springs 61-61 mounted on the bracket ,59)

3 This tends to resiliently lock the arms 52 and 53 on the pin 51. When the pin 51 is positioned within notches 55 and 57 and upon longitudinal movement being imparted to the arms 52 and 53, the rod and attached block 46 will longitudinally-move. If the block 46 is held against movement and longitudinal movement is imparted to the arms 52 and 53, the-pin 51-will act against the walls of the notchesand 57 to spread the arms 52 and 53. Thereafter, further longitudinal movement of the .arms 52 and 53 will position the notches 54- and 56 in register with the pin 51 and the arms 52 and 53 will pivot to engage the pin 51 within the notche 54 and56.

Assuming that the follower block 46is-at the righthand end of the guideway 47 and the pin 51 is in the notches 54 and 56, and the bracket 59 is moved to the left, as viewed in Fig. 4, the rod 59 and the follower block 46 move with the bracket 59 until the follower block strikes a plate 62 which prevents it from moving farther to the left, as viewed in Fig. 4. The further movement of the bracket 59 opens the arms and slides the arms along the pin 51 until the notche 55 and 57 come adjacent to the pin 51, and then the arms 52 and 53 close on the pin. Then, when the bracket 59 is moved toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 4, the follower block 46 is carried therewith until it strikes a stop 63, after which the pin 51 opens the arms 52 and 53 and these arms move along the pin until the notches 54 and 56 are adjacent to the pin, and then the arms reclose on the pin at which time the travel of the bracket 59 is stopped by other means.

The bracket 59, an actuating plate and a slotted guide 72 are fixed to a piston rod 73 actuated by a pneumatic cylinder 74, and a flange '75 on the piston rod 73 thereon secure these elements to the rod 73. The inserter 26 comprises a plunger 80, Figs. 4 and 7, secured to a rod 82 that is connected to the piston rod 73. The plunger is mounted slidably in a bore 81 in the follower block 46-, the bore 31 being aligned with the central portion of the slot formed in the travel block, and is designed to move along the bore 81 to push a terminal along out of the slot 45 into one of the slots 22, 23, 24 and 25 in the mold 2G. The plunger 80 connected to the rod 82 is mounted slidably in a bore 83 formed in a bearing block 84 mounted on the fixed plate 48 and a compression spring 86 bearing against the bearing block 84, and a flange 87 formed on the rod 82 urges the rod 82 to the right, as viewed in Fig. 4, to hold the rod against a stepped plate The stepped plate is provided with sockets 89 into which a spring-pressed ball 99 is urged to locate the stepped plate so that the rod-82 bears against any selected lands 92, 93 and 94 of the stepped plate. This stepped plate is a ready means for adjusting the plunger 80 for inserting terminals of different lengths.

When the piston rod 73 is moved to its farthermost lefthand position, as viewed'in Fig. 4, the actuating plate 79 actuates a switch 95, and when the piston rod 73 is retracted to its farthermost righthand position, the plate 7% moves away from the switch 95 and actuates a switch 96. The switch 95 reverses the cylinder 74, and the switch 96 actuates the escapment 31 to permit one and only one terminal 21 to be fed down to the magazine 33, when both the follower block 46 and the plunger 30 are fully retracted.

The mold holder 19 comprises a stop 1% (Figs. 1 and 3) designed to orient the terminal strip holder 20 with an adjustment screw 132 on a slide 101 in a predetermined position on the slide 101, which is mounted slidably in a dove-tailed guideway 103 formed in the plate 62 which is mounted for vertical movement by guide rods 105 and 106 projecting slidably into sleeves 107 and 108 fixed rigidly to the plate 62. A pneumatic cylinder 109, which is actuated by a solenoid-operated valve 110 each timethe valve 110 is energized to move through a piston rod 104 a spring urged pawl 111 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 3, and then retract the pawl 111 back to the righthand position. Such movement of the pawl 111 causes it to turn a ratchet 112 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, to turn a shaft 116, thereby turning a cam 113 provided with a suitable number of lobes 114 and also turning a locking disc 117 being provided wtih tapered index holes 118 in clockwise direction. A locking cylinder 12% controlled by a solenoid operated valve 121 is designed to urge a plunger 122 into the holes formed in the locking disc 117 to securely hold the shaft 116 and the elements thereon in indexed positions after it has been turned to such positions between the pawl 111 and the ratchet 112. Each lobe of the cam 114 is designed to move the plate 62 and mold holder 19 upwardly by means of a follower roll 123 secured to the plate 62. On each actuation of the pneumatic cylinder 169, the pawl 111 is actuated to turn the cam 113 through such a distance that the plate 62 is lifted the distance between the center lines of the rows of slots 22, 23, 2 4 and 25. The ratchet 112 in turning the cam 113 from position in which it is shown in Fig. 3 to 90 in regular increments, moves each of the rows of slots 22, 23, 24 and 25 to proper position for receiving terminals the inserter 26. Then as the cam 113 is moved farther in a clockwise direction, the plate 62 is lowered by gravity to each of the positions it was raised.

A horizontally indexing air cylinder 13% (Fig. 1) controlled by a solenoid controlled valve 131 is designed to actuate a piston rod 132 mounted slidably in guides 133 to pull a spring pressed pawl 134 to the right, as viewed in Fig. 1. This causes the pawl 134 to turn the ratchet 135 through the angle between tapered holes 137 formed in a locking disc 136 to'turn a cam 138 having a predetermined rise 139 through the same angle, a shaft 141 being keyed to these elements. A locking plunger 145 (Fig. 3) is secured to a piston rod 146 operable by a horizontal locking pneumatic cylinder 147 controlled by a solenoid controlled valve 148. The valve 148 is so actuated relative to the valve 1.31 (Fig. 1), that the cylinder 147-is actuated rapidly to retract the plunger 145 from the hole 137 in the locking disc 136 before the valve 131 actuates the cylinder 130 to operate the pawl 134. A supporting plate 149 serves to mount the cylinder 147 and also supports a bearing 159 mounting the shaft 141 rotatably.

A tension spring 153 (Fig. 3) is secured to the slide 101 and urges the slide 101 constantly to the left, as viewed in Fig. 3. This urges a vertical guide 155, mounted by. two pairs of rollers 156 on a fixed guideway 157 extending well into the guideway 103 and mounted on standards 158, to the left, as viewed in Fig. 3. A follower roller 159 mounted on the guide is urged into engagement with the cam 138. The vertical guide 155 is provided with a dove-tailed guideway 161 extending vertically, in which a slide 162 secured to the slide 161 is mounted. Thus, the guide 155 permits the slide 101 to be moved vertically relative thereto, and maintains a connection between the follower roller 159 and the slide 101 even though the slide 101 may be offset substantially from the follower roller 159.

Each time the pawl 134 is actuated by the cylinder 130, the cam 138 is turned in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, and starting from the point 140, the slide 101 is slid to the right as viewed in this figure, to swing the mold holder 19 frornleft to right until the apex of the rise 139 engages the follower roller 159, at which time, the slide 101 is moved in its farthermost righthand position. Then during the next succeeding 90 rotation of the cam 138, the slide 101is returned by identical steps. Consequently, one row of slots may be filled on the travel of the mold holder 19'to theright, and the next row of slotsmay be filled on the travel of the mold holder 19 to the. left.

When a manually operable switch 180 (Fig. 9) in a powerline 181 is closed, it energizes a forward solenoid 182 of a valve 183 through normally open contacts 184 of the limit switch 96, normally closed contacts 185 of the limit switch 95, normally closed contacts 186 of a relay 187 and normally open contacts 188 of a limit switch 189, which is actuated to close the contacts 188 and open contacts 198 when the piston rod 132 is in its retracted position. The solenoid 182 actuates the valve 183 to cause the piston rod 73 to sequentially move the travel block 46 to an end one of the slots 22 and the plunger 80 to move a terminal 21 into that slot. As the piston rod 73 reaches its extreme actuated position, it actuates the switch 95 to close contacts 201, 202 and 203 and open the contacts 185.

Closing of the contacts 203 energizes a reverse solenoid 205 of the valve 183, which sets the valve 183 to retract the piston rod 73. The piston rod first moves the travel block 46 and the plunger 80 back from the mold 20, and then further retracts only the plunger 88 to permit another terminal 21 to drop into the slot 81 in the travel block, the solenoids 41 and 42 being operated alternately by the switch 96 and a relay 211 energized by a powerline 212 through a manually operable start switch 213 and a reset switch 214 to drop one terminal 21 into the travel block 46 on each cycle of the cylinder 74.

The momentary closing of the contacts 201 momentarily actuates a reverse solenoid 215 of a valve 216 and a forward solenoid 217 of a valve 218. The solenoid 215 sets the valve 216 to cause the cylinder 147 to rapidly retract the locking pin 145 (Fig. 3) from the locking disc 136. The solenoid 217 actuates the valve 218 to cause the cylinder 130 to cock, through the piston rod 132, the pawl 134 (Fig. 1) over one tooth on the ratchet 135 as the locking pin 145 is retracted. As the piston rod 132 reaches its extreme forward position, it closes a limit switch 221 to reverse the valves 216 and 218 through solenoids 222 and 223 energized through contacts 198 (Fig. 9) of the limit switch 189 and the switch 221, respectfully. As the pawl 134 (Fig. 1) is retracted, it turns the cam 138 to move the slide 101 to the right, as viewed in Fig. 1, a distance such that the vacant slot 22, next to the now filled slot 22, in the mold 20 is aligned with the slot 45 in the follower block 46. The pin-145 enters the next socket 137 in the locking disc 136 to precisely orient and hold the mold 20 in this position. Retraction of the piston rod 132 recloses the contacts 188 to actuate the terminal feeding cylinder 74 again to feed the next terminal and this operation repeatedly is effected to fill the lower row of slots 22.

Each time the switch 95 is actuated as a terminal 21 is inserted into the mold 20, the contacts 202 (Fig. 9) are closed to energize a selector relay 231 of a selector or counter switch relay 232 to turn a ratchet wheel 233 one notch through a pawl 234. The ratchet wheel 233 turns contactors 235, 236, 237, 238, 239 and 240 in a clockwise direction one step, thereby moving to the next succeeding ones of contacts 241, 242, 243, 244, 245 and 246, respectively. A latching pawl 247 holds the ratchet wheel 233 and the contactors in the new positions against the action of a resetting spring 248. Thus, each time a terminal is inserted into the holder, the contactors are stepped one position into engagement with the next contacts. Each of the contactors is connected to one side of the powerline 212.

The contacts 241 and 242 and the contactors 235 and 236 are effective to actuate the cylinders 189 and 120 when a manually operable contactor 251 is in engagement with a contactor 252, a manually operable switch 253 is set closed, and ten terminals 21 have been inserted-into the mold 20. Assuming the switch 253 is closed and the contactor 251 is in engagement with the contact 252, as the ninth terminal is inserted, the relay 231 is stepped to move the contactors 235 and 236 into 6 engagement with the tenth contacts 241 and242, which are connected to the contact 252. This actuates a slow release relay 256 to close contacts 257 to set up a circuit to an actuating relay 258 of a selector or counter switch 259.

On the insertion of the tenth terminal, the contactors 235 and 236 are moved to the eleventh contacts 241 and 242, and the contactor 236 actuates solenoids 261 and 262 of valves 263 and 264, respectively, which actuate cylinders and 109 to release the cam 113 and cock the pawl 111. The circuit to'solenoids 261 and 262 is made through a limit switch 265, contacts 266 of a relay 267 and contacts 268 of the relay 187, which is energized by the contactor 236. As the pawl 111 is cocked (moved to the left, as viewed in Fig. 3) by the piston rod 104 of the vertical indexing cylinder 109, the piston rod 104 permits the switch 265 to open and actuates a limit switch 270 to close contacts 271 and 272. The contacts 271 actuate the relay 258, and the contacts 272 actuate solenoids 275 and 276, which actuate the valves 263 and 264 to cause the cylinder 109 to turn the cam 113 in a direction lowering the slide 101 to bring the next row of slots 23 into position to receive the terminals 21. While this occurs, actuation of the horizontal indexing cylinder and the terminal feeding cylinder 74 is prevented by the relay 187 holding the contacts 186 open.

As the switch'270 is actuated, it also closes contacts 281 to actuate a resetting relay 282, which releases the latch 247 to reset the selector switch 232 rapidly back to its starting position. The movement of the contactor 236 away from the eleventh contact 242 deenergizes the relay 187 so that the terminal feeding cylinder 74 is again activated, and the contacts 268 are reopened to cut out the vertical indexing and locking cylinders 109 and 129 until the next row of cylinders are filled. The cam 138 (Fig. 1) during the filling of the row of slots 23 permits the slide 101 to move to the left as it is turned, the cam 138 being provided with two lobes 139.

This procedure continues until the fourth and last row of slots 25 are filled with terminals 21. As the selector switch 259 is stepped the third time, a contactor 291 is moved into engagement with the fourth one of contacts 292, the relay 267 is actuated to open the contacts 266 to prevent further vertical indexing of the mold holder 19 and remains energized until after the slots 25 are filled, at which time an operator removes the filled mold 20 and clamps an empty mold in its place. Then, a reset switch 293 is actuated to actuate releasing relays 294 and 282 to reset the selector switches 259 and 232, respectively, and the clamped mold is filled with terminals starting with the top row of slots and proceeding-to the bottom row thereof.

The contactor 251 may be set manually on the contact 296, a corresponding switch 297 closed and the switch 253 opened if it is desired to fill molds having fifteen slots in each row. Also, a three-lobe cam of proper dimensions is substituted for the two-lobe cam 138. If it is desired to fill molds having twenty slots in each row, the contactor 251 is moved into engagement with a contact 298 to cut out the contacts 241 and 243; the switches 253 and 297are set, if necessary, in open positions to cut out the contacts 242 and 244, and a single-lobe cam is substituted for the cam 138. To change from assembly of apparatus having, for instance, four sets of horizontal rows of terminals to some other number, cam 113 is replaced by another cam having a proper number of lobes.

Operation With the piston rod 73 positioned in the extreme righthand position, the operator will close the switch (Fig. 9) in the powerline 181 to energize the forward solenoid 182 of the valve 183 through the normally open contacts 184 now closed of the limit switch 96, normally closed contacts 185 of the limit switch 95, normally closed contacts 186 of the relay 187 and normally open contacts 188 now closed of the limit switch 189, which is actuated toc lose-the contacts 188 and open contactsldl) when the-piston 132 is in its retracted position. The solenoid 182 actuates the valve 133 to cause the piStOn rod '73 to sequentially move the follower block 46 to an end one of the slots 22 and the plunger 86 to move a terminal 21 into that-slot. As the piston rod 73 reaches its extreme actuated position, it actuates the switch & to close the contacts 2%, 2&3 and 202 and open the contacts 185.

The closing of the contacts 203 energizes the reverse solenoid 2il5 of the valve 133 to set the valve 183 to retract the piston rod 73. The piston rod '73'first moves the follower blocked and the plunger 8%) back from the mold 2d, and then further retracts only the plunger 6% to permit another terminal 21 to drop into the slot 31 in the follower block. The solenoids 41 and 52 are operated alternately by the switch 96 and a relay 21lenergized by a powerline 212 through a manually operable start switch 213 and a reset switch 25A to drop one terminal 21 into the follower block 46 on each cycle of the cylinder 74.

The momentary closing of the contacts 201 momentarily actuates the reverse solenoid 2115 of the valve 216 and the forward solenoid 217 of the valve 23.8. The solenoid 215 sets the valve 216 to cause the cylinder 147 to rapidly retract the locking pin 145 (Fig. 3) from the locking disc 136. The solenoid 217 actuates the valve 213 to cause the cylinder through the piston 132 to cock the pawl 1341- (Fig. 1) over one tooth on the ratchet 135 as the locking pin 145 is retracted. As the piston 132 reaches its extreme forward position it closes the limit switch 221 to reverse the valves 216 and 218 through solenoids 222 and 223 energized through contacts 199 of the limit switch 189 and the switch 221. As the pawl 13 iis retracted, it turns the cam 138 to move the slide 191 to the right, as viewed in Fig. l, a distance such that the slot 22, next to the filled slot 22 in the mold 26, is aligned with the slot 45 in the follower block 46. The pin 145 enters the next socket 137 in the locking disc 136 to precisely orient and hold the mold 29 in this position. Retraction of the piston 132 recloses the contacts 188 to actuate the terminal feeding cylinder 74 again to feed the next terminal and this operation repeatedly is effected to till the lower row of slots 22.

Each time the switch 95 is actuated as one of the terminals 21 is inserted into the mold 20, the contacts 202 (Fig. 9) are closed to energize the relay 231 or the selector switch 232 to turn the ratchet wheel 233 one notch through the pawl 234. The ratchet wheel 233 turns the contactors 235, 236, 237, 233, 239 and 24% in a clockwise direction one step, thereby moving to the next succeeding ones of the contacts 241, 242, 243, 244, 245 and 246, respectively. The latching pawl 247 holds the ratchet wheel 233 and the contactors in the new positions against the action of a resetting spring 248. Thus, each time a terminal is inserted into the mold, the corn tactors are stepped one position into engagement with the next contacts.

Assuming the switch 253 is closed and the contactor 251 is in engagement with the contact 252, as the ninth terminal is inserted, the ratchet wheel 233 is stepped to move the contactors 235 and 235 into engagement with the tenth contacts 241 and 242, which are connected. to the contact 252. This actuates the slow release relay 256 to close contacts 257 to set up a circuit to the actuating relay 2 58 of the selector switch 259.

On the insertion of the tenth terminal, the contactors 235 and 236 are moved to the eleventh contacts 241 and 242, and the contactor 236 actuates solenoids 251 and 262 of valves 263 and 264, respectively, which actuate cylinders 12d) and M9 'to release the cam 113 and cock the pawl 111. The circuit to solenoids 261 and 262 is made through the limit switch 265, contacts 266 of the relay 267 and contacts 268 of the relay 187, which is' energized by the contactor 236. As the pawl 111 is movedover the next tooth, or cocked, by the piston rod 1% of the vertical indexing cylinder ill), the piston rod 164 permits the switch 265 to open and actuates'the limit switch 270 to close contacts 271 and 272. The contacts 271 actuate the relay 258, and the contacts 272 actuate solenoids 275 and 276, which actuate the valves 263 and 264 to cause the cylinder it? to turn the cam 113 in a direction lowering the slide lltll to bring the next row of slots into position to receive the terminals'21. While this occurs, actuation of the horizontal indexing cylinder 130 and the terminal feeding cylinder 74 is prevented by the relay 187 holding the contacts 186 open.

As the switch 270 is actuated, it also closes contacts 2! to actuate a resetting relay 282, which releases the latch 247 to reset the selector switch 232 rapidly back to its starting position. The movement of the contactor 236 away from the eleventh contact 242 deenergizes the relay 187 so that the terminal feeding cylinder 74 is again activated, and the contacts 268 are reopened to cut out the vertical indexing and locking cylinders 1G9 and until the next row of slots is filled. The cam 138 (Fig. 1) during the filling of the row of slots 23 permits the slide 161 to move to the left as it is turned, the cam 138 being provided with two lobes 139.

This procedure continues until the fourth and last row of slots 25 is filled with terminals 21. As the selector switch 259 is stepped the third time. the contactor 221 is moved into engagement with the fourth one of contacts 292, the relay 267 is actuated to open the contacts 266m prevent further vertical indexing of the holder 19 and remains energized until after the slots 25 are filled, at which time an operator removes the filled mold 245 and clamps an empty holder in its place. Then, a reset switch 293 is actuated to actuate releasing relays 294 and 282 to reset the selector switches 259 and 232, respectively, and the clamped holder is filled with terminals starting with the top row of slots and proceeding to the bottom row thereof.

The above-described apparatus serves to load the terminal 21 in the mold 2t automatically from beginning to end. It serves with minimum adjustments to load holders of ten, fifteen and twenty slots in each row and feed terminals of different lengths to the holders.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are simply illustrative of the application of'the principles of the invention. Numerous other arrangements may be readily devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles f the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof. One arrangement would embody the use of two or more feeding devices so that a multiple number of terminals may be fed simultaneously.

' What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for assembling articles, which comprises a carrier for holding an article having portions for receiving parts positioned in parallel rows, means movable in a predetermined plane for feeding parts to the article, first means for moving the carrier in a prede termined direction perpendicular to said plane to index each receiving portion of the article of one row in front of the part-feeding means, second means perpendicular to the first means for moving the carrier in a direction perpendicular to the first-mentioned direction of movement to bring another row of the part-receiving portions to position to receive parts from the part-feeding means, a counter operable by each operation of the part-feeding means for actuating the second-mentioned carrier-moving means after one row of part-receiving portions is filled, and a counter operable by operation of the firstrn-entioned carrier-moving means and the second-mew tionedzcarrier-nioving means for stopping the part-feeding means.

2. An apparatus for assembling articles, which comprises a carrier for holding an article having portions for receiving parts positioned in parallel rows, means movable in a predetermined direction for feeding partsto the article, first means for moving the carrier in a predetermined direction perpendicular to said direction to index sequentially each receiving portion of the article of one row in front of the part-feeding means, means actuated by the part-feeding means for actuating the carrier-moving means after each part is fed, means actuated by the carrier-moving means for actuating the part-feeding means after each operation of the carrier-moving means, second means perpendicular to the first means for moving the carrier in a direction perpendicular to the firstrnentioned direction of movement to bring another row of the part-receiving portions to position to receive parts from the part-feeding means, counting means operable by each operation of the part-feeding means for actuating the second-mentioned carrier-moving means after one row of part-receiving portions is filled, and counting means operable by operation of the first-mentioned carrier-moving means and the second-mentioned carriermoving means for stopping the part-feeding means.

3. An apparatus for assembling articles, which comprises an elongated carrier for holding an article having portions for receiving parts positioned in parallel rows, means movable transversely ofthe carrier for feeding parts to the article, means for stepping the carrier longitudinally back and forth past the part-feeding means to index the part-receiving portions of the article relative to the part-feeding means, means for stepping the carrier transverselyof the longitudinal movement thereof and transversely of the movement of thepart-feeding means to bring seriatim the rows of the part-receiving portions to position to receive parts from the part -feeding means, counting means operable by each operation of the partfeeding means for actuating the second-mentioned carrier-stepping means after one row of part-receiving portions is filled, and counting means operable by operation of the first-mentioned carrier-stepping means and the second-mentioned carrier-stepping means for stopping the part-feeding means;

4. A mold loading apparatus, which comprises a holder I for supporting a mold having a plurality of parallel rows of slots therein, a horizontal guideway mounting the holder slidably thereon, means mounting the guideway for vertical movement, a terminal inserter movable in a horizontal direction perpendicularly to the plane of movement of the guideway, cam means for moving the holder along the guideway to move the mold relative to the inserter, ratchet means for actuating the cam means to move the holder along the guideway the distance between adjacent ones of the slots inthe mold, second cam means for moving the guideway vertically, second ratchet means for actuating the second cam means to move the guideway vertically the distance between adjacent rows of the slots, first counting means responsive to movements of the terminal inserter for actuating the second ratchet means, and second counting means responsive to said first counting means for stopping the terminal inserter.

5. A mold loading apparatus, which comprises a holder for supporting a mold having a plurality of parallel rows of slots therein, a horizontal guideway mounting the holder slidably thereon, means mounting the guideway for vertical movement, a terminal inserter movable in a horizontal direction perpendicularly to the plane of movement of the guideway, means for moving the holder along the guideway to move the mold relative to the inserter, ratchet means effective on each operation thereoffor actuating the holder-movingmeans to step the holder along the guideway the distance between adjacent ones of the slots in the mold, means operable by the inserter for actuating the ratchet means, means operable by the movement of the terminal inserter for reversing the movement of the inserter, means for moving the guideway vertically, second ratchet means efiective on each operation thereof for actuating the guideway-moving means to move the holder vertically the distance'b'etween,

adjacent rows of the slots, first counting means responsive to movements of the terminal inserter for actuating the second ratchet means, ,and second counting means responsive to said first counting means for stopping the terminal inserter. v.

6. A mold loading apparatus, which comprises a horizontally extending guideway, a holder mounted slidably on the guidewayfor supporting a mold having a plurality of parallel rows of slots therein, means mounting the guideway for vertical-movement, means for storing terminals to be inserted in the slots, a terminal guide movable in a horizontal direction to and away from the holder, an inserter for pushing a terminal from. the terminal storing means into one of the 'slots in theholder, means for reciprocating the inserter, a pair of latching arms having two pairs of opposed notches therein and mounted pivotally relative to one another and movable with the inserter, means urging the arms together, a pin) fixed to the terminal guide and projecting between the arms, stop means for limiting the travel of the terminalv guide so that the guide is initially carried with the inserter through the latching arms and then the inserter moves along the guide, cam means for moving the holder along the guideway to move the holder relative to the terminal guide, ratchet means for actuating the cam means to move the holder along the guideway the distance between adjacent ones of the slots in the mold, second cam means for moving the guideway vertically, second ratchet means for actuating the second cam means to move the holder vertically the distance between adjacent rows of the slots, first counting means responsive to movements of the inserter along the guideway for actuating the second ratchet means, and second counting means responsive to said first counting means for stopping the inserter.

7. A mold loading apparatus, which comprises a holder for supporting a mold having a plurality of parallel rows of slots therein, a guideway mounting the holder slidably therealong in a first predetermined direction, means mounting the guideway for movement transverse ofsaid first predetermined direction, a terminal inserter movable transversely of the plane of movement of the guideway, means for sliding the holder step-by-step along the guideway to move the mold in said first predetermined direction relative to the inserter, means for moving the guideway step-by-step to impart said transverse movement thereto, counting means responsive to movements of the terminal inserter along the guideway for actuating the guideway-moving means, and counting means responsive to a predetermined number of actuation of said first'counting means for stoppingthe terminal inserter.

8. An apparatus for assembling articles, which comprises a carrier for holding an article having portions for receiving parts positioned in parallel rows, means for moving the carrier in a predetermined direction parallel to said rows to index sequentially each receiving portion of the article of one row in front of a predetermined point, means for moving the carrier in a direction perpendicular to the first-mentioned direction of movement to bring another row of the part-receiving portions in line with said point, a part guide movable back and forth to and from said point, said guide being provided with a slot extending therealong and open at one edge thereof, a plunger movable along said slot for moving a part from the slot into one of the part-receiving portions, means for reciprocating the plunger, lost motion means connecting the plunger to the guide, and means for feeding parts one at a time into said slot.

9. An apparatus for assembling articles, which comprises a carrier for holding an article having portions for receiving parts positioned in parallel rows, means for moving the carrier in a predetermined direction parallel to said rows to index sequentially each receiving portion of the article of one row in front of a predetermined point, second means for moving the carrier in a direction perpendicular to the first-mentioned direction of movement to bring another row of the part-receiving portions in line with said point, a part guide movable back and forth to and from said point, said guide being provided With a slot extending therealong and open at one edge thereof, a plunger movable along said slot for moving a part from the slot into one of the part-receiving portions, means for reciprocating the plunger, lost motion means connecting the plunger to the guide, means for feeding parts one at a time into said slot, means operable by the plunger-reciprocating means for actuating the firstcarrier moving means, and means operable by the firstcarrier moving means for actuating the plunger-reciprocating means.

10. A mold loading apparatus, which compirses a horizontally extending guideway, a mold holder mounted slidably on the guideway for supporting a mold having a plurality of parallel, vertically spaced rows of slots therein, means mounting the guideway for vertical movement, a terminal guide extending in a horizontal direction toward the holder, an inserter for pushing a terminal from the terminal guide into one of the slots in the holder, means adapted to reciprocate the inserter, first step-bystep means for moving the holder along the guideway to move the holder relative to the terminal guide the distance between adjacent ones of the slots in the mold, second step-by-step means for moving the guideway vertically, means responsive to movements of the inserter for actuating the first step-by-step means, counter means responsive to a predetermined number of movements of the inserter for actuating the second step-by-step means, means responsive to said counter means for stopping the inserter, and means for cyclically operating the means for reciprocating the inserter.

11. A mold loading apparatus, which comprises a horizontally extending guideway, a holder mounted slidably n the guideway for supporting a mold having a plurality of parallel rows of slots therein in a position in which the rows extend horizontally and are vertically spaced from one another, means mounting the guideway for vertical movement, a terminal guide movable in a horizontal direction to and away from the holder, an inserter for pushing a terminal from the terminal guide into one of the slots in the holder, means for reciprocating the inserter, a rod secured to the terminal guide, a pair of latching arms each having a pair of notches, said notches in each arm being opposed to the notches in the other arm, means for urging said arms together, a pin fixed to the rod and positioned within a pair of opposed notches, stop means limiting the movement of the terminal guide and rod whereby said pin moves from one pair of 0p- 12 posed notches to the other upon movement of the inserter beyond the limits of the stop means, cam means for moving the holder along the guideway to move the holder relative to terminal guides, and a second cam means for moving the guideway vertically.

12. An apparatus for selectively positioning an article holder, a work member, means for cyclically moving the work member toward and away from the article holder in a fixed straight line path, first means operated. by the work member for moving the article holder in a first direction transversely of said fixed path, a counter switch successively advanced by each cyclic movement of the work member, and means operated by the counter switch being advanced a predetermined number of times for moving said article holder in a direction perpendicular to the direction imparted to said article holder by said first moving means.

13. In an apparatus for indexing an article holder, a work member, means for cyclically moving the work member toward and away from said article holder, first means actuated by each cyclic movement of said work member for moving said article holder transversely of said work member, an electrical counter circuit operated by each cyclic movement-of the work member for registering the number of cyclic operations of said work member, and second means actuated by a predetermined number of cyclic operations of the counter circuit for moving said article holder transversely of the direction of movement imparted thereto by the first moving means.

14. In an apparatus for assembling articles in a holder, 21 frame for receiving a holder, means for indexing the frame along a predetermined path, a slidably mounted block having a guideway formed therein to receive an article, a plunger mounted on said block and extending into said guideway for movement with and relative to the block, means for cyclically moving said block and plunger toward and away from a holder in the frame, means for limiting movement of the block toward the frame so that the plunger moves relative to the block to move an article in the guideway into the holder, means for limiting movement of the block from the frame so that the plunger moves relative to the block, and means operated by the completion of movement of the plunger away from the frame for operating the indexing means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 798,609 Las sig et al. Sept. 5, 1905 1,560,918 Stubgen Q Nov. 10, 1925 2,336,573 Seeley Dec. 14, 1943 2,587,584 Althaif Mar. 4, 1952 

